PARASITES

EXTERNAL PARASITES​FLEAS & TICKSFleas and Ticks are external parasites, that can be found on the skin of your pets. They are able to transmit disease to your pets via blood transmission; when they bite your pet, they transmit harmful bacteria into your pets bloodstream causing disease.

There are a variety of tick and flea treatments on the market, however, only few are recommended by veterinarians. These products are designed to kill the ticks/fleas once they bite your pet, preventing them from transmitting disease. In Trinidad, ticks and fleas are very prevalent. It is important that your dogs and cats have adequate protection against these. Please call our clinic or discuss at your visit, the appropriate tick and flea treatments for your pets. Some of the diseases caused by these external parasites can be fatal if not treated, for example, Tick Fever.

INTERNAL PARASITES

HEARTWORMHeartworm (aka Dirofilaria immitis) is a parasitic roundworm, transmitted via mosquitos. These worms reside in the arteries of the lungs and the heart causing damage to these vessels. This diseases is characterized by mild coughing and exercise intolerance to coughing blood, fainting, and heart failure in the more advanced stages. Although heart worm can be treated, the treatment is very long and requires strict confinement. At GOVET, we offer Heart worm testing, particularly advised if your pets have not been regularly dewormed with heart worm preventatives.

We strongly recommend prevention of these parasites.

INTESTINAL WORMSIntestinal parasites consist of: Hookworms, Whipworms and Roundworms. These parasites are passed from one animal to the next in their larval-form, via fecal-oral route. This means, when your dog or cats mouth comes into contact with these larvae they are ingested and then passed in there feces. These worms, although different in there own way, draw nutrients from your pets, effecting there overall vitality. At GOVET we provide fecal testing to diagnose the presence of worms. If your pet is diagnosed with worms, it is possible to treat them with various medications, however, preventative medications are available to prevent these parasites from infecting your pets.